The Film Daily (1935)

Friday, Aug. 16, 1935 LITTLE from LOTS By RALPH WILK HOLLYWOOD ]\TORMA SHEARER has signed a new long-term contract with MG-M. She is next to be seen in the first talking picture production of "Romeo and Juliet," which will be directed by George Cukor as an Irving Thalberg presentation. Another vehicle will be the photoplay version of Stefan Zweig's "Marie Antoinette," in which Miss Shearer will have the title role and Charles Laughton will be seen as Louis XVI. This will, according to present plans, follow "Romeo and Juliet" on the M-G-M production schedule. T ▼ T Ethel Merman, by arrangement with Samuel Goldwyn, and her songs from "Anything Goes," will be in Paramount's screen version of the hit musical, in which Bing Crosby takes top billing. t * ▼ Ray Mayer has been added to the cast of "To Beat the Band," new RKO Radio musical now before the cameras under Ben Stoloff's direction. Helen Broderick, Hugh Herbert, Eric Blore, Roger Pryor, Phyllis Brooks, Fred Keating and the California Collegians are featured. Zion Myers supervises. T T T Lili Damita, who recently married Errol Flynn, male lead in Warners' "Captain Blood," has been signed for a role in "Frisco Kid." The picture will star James Cagney and Margaret Lindsay. Fred Kohler, noted film "bad man," has also been assigned a role. Lloyd Bacon is directing. ▼ ▼ ▼ Roma Gabriel, Viennese importation known abroad as Grete Natzler, is announced as tentatively cast for "Mile. Modiste." T T ▼ Josephine Hutchinson has been selected by Warners to play opposite Paul Muni in his next starring vehicle, "Enemy of Man." Anita Louise will play the ingenue lead as Muni's daughter. The picture, scheduled to enter production Monday, will probably be held up for another week due to Muni's sudden illness. T T T Eddie Duchin and his orchestra, and Jack Haley, are the newest additions to the cast of "Coronado," in which Johnny Downs is to have the male lead. ▼ T T Peggy Hopkins Joyce is announced for the role of the Charm Teacher M-G-M Plugs Repeats Encouraged by exceptionally heavy grosses on outstanding repeats, M-G-M's sales department under direction of Felix F. Feist is concentrating much energy on this type of booking, especially in connection with "The Thin Man" and "Naughty Marietta." In one situation, company officials point out, the former picture showed a gross which was 111 per cent higher than its original take in the same theater. REVIEWS of the NEW FILMS » Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in "TOP HAT" with Edward Everett Horton, Helen Broderick, Eric Blore, Erik Rhodes (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) RKO Radio 105 mins. ANOTHER ASTAIRE-ROGERS WINNER HEADED FOR PLENTY OF NOISE AT THE BOX-OFFICE. With a few additions, the same combination that created an enviable screen musical comedy in "The Gay Divorcee" has turned out another winner in "Top Hat". Mark Sandrich again proves he is in the top flight of directors with his guidance of the players. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, dancing better than ever, romp through the leading roles. One of Astaire's dances, backed by chorus boys, is one of the most original seen on the screen in a long time. Horton, Blore and Rhodes are back, scoring more laughs than in "Gay Divorcee", while Helen Broderick, of Broadway and vaudeville, bags her quota of guffaws and howls. Irving Berlin's music is catchy, and Hermes Pan has staged the ensembles effectively. Astaire meets Ginger in London and soon falls in love with her. She is disappointed when she gets the impression Astaire is the husband of Helen Broderick, her best friend. Out of spite, she agrees to marry Rhodes, a dress designer. Of course, all complications are straightened out and Astaire wins Ginger. Dwight Taylor, who wrote "The Gay Divorcee," also authored "Top Hat" and did the screenplay with Allan Scott. Cast: Fred Astaire. Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Hortcn, Helen Broderick, Eric Blore, Erik Rhodes. Producer, Pandro S Berman; Director, Mark Sandrich; Author, Dwight Taylor; Screenplay, Dwight Taylor, Allan Scott; Cameraman, David Abel; Dance Ensembles, Hermes Pan; Editor, William Hamilton. Direction, Aces Photography, Best in Paramount's "Collegiate," featuring Joe Penner. ▼ t ▼ "Small Town Girl," based on the novel by Ben Ames Williams, will be brought to the screen by M-G-M, with Maureen O'Sullivan in the title role and Robert Montgomery in the starring male lead. The two appeared together in "Hideout." Miss O'Sullivan is now at work in a new Tarzan picture, with Johnny Weissmuller, and will start in "Small Town Girl" as soon as Montgomery returns to the coast from his present eastern vacation. Mildred Cram has adapted the book for pictures and Hunt Stromberg will be the producer. T T T Gladys Swarthout, upon completion of Paramount's "Rose of the Rancho" will appear opposite Jan Kiepura in the latter's first American picture, "Song of the Nile." She then returns to the Metropolitan Opera to remain until next April, when additional films are planned for her. T Y T Ray Taylor has started production on "Tailspin Tommy in the Great Air Mystery," the sequel to Hal ■ SHORTS » "Rubinoff and His Orchestra" with Adia Kuznetzoff (Melody Master Series) Vitaphone 10 mins. Russian Musical Cocktail Dave Rubinoff opens and closes this combination of Russian musical tidbits with selections on his violin. In between, there is a lively and tuneful repertoire of singing, dancing and orchestra numbers, all of Russian flavor, and presented in a fitting background of the night club order. It's distinctive and generally entertaining. Joseph Henabery directed. "Forward Together" (See America First Series) Vitaphone 10 mins. Fair As the final issue in E. M. Newman's See America First series, this subject gives a brief review of events, mostly political, from 1933 to the present. It shows the inducting of Franklin D. Roosevelt into office, the overthrow of prohibition, and various other highlights already well known through the newsreels. A few of the more important developments of the century, including talking pictures, radio and air travel, also are flashed. Dialogue is by John B. Kennedy. Bernice Claire in "The Love Department" (Broadway Brevity) Vitaphone 20 mins. Pleasing Skit A romantic skit, with opportunities for Bernice Claire to do a bit of vocal work, providing satisfactory entertainment in its class. Miss Claire, as the editor of a lovelorn department on a newspaper, has been burdened by fans with so many problems of the heart that she has become sour on the whole idea of romance. Then it enters her own life and she sees things differently. Milton Douglas and Billie Leonard are featured in the supporting cast, which is ample and competent. Production values also are good. The subject was directed by Roy Mack. Forrest's newspaper strip serial of last season, "Tailspin Tommy." The production is being made by Henry MacRae from a screenplay by Ray Cannon, Robert Hershon, Basil Dickey, Ella O'Neill and George Plympton. Its principals are Clark Williams, Noah Beery, Jr., Jean Rogers, Bryant Washburn, Matthew Betz, Pablo Alvarez, Delphine Stanley, Herbert Heywood, Paul Ellis, Pat O'Brien and Charles Browne. T T T William Ricciardi, well-known character actor of the Broadway stage, has arrived here for a role in "Stars over Broadway," the Warner film which stars Pat O'Brien, James Melton and Jane Froman. NEWS of DAY Los Angeles — "Top Hat," RKO Radio's new starrer for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, with Irving Berlin music, was previewed at the Hillstreet here this week and a packed house gave the film an ovation after its first public showing. Detroit — Maxie Gealer, former manager of the Colonial Theater, has been made manager of the Rialto at Flint, scheduled to be reopened this month by Associated Theaters, Inc. William London, partner in the circuit, stated that negotiations are being conducted to acquire a small string of theaters in Detroit. The group also plans to add six up-state houses. Rosalie, Neb. — K. L. Parkinson is the new operator of the Star. Lincoln, Neb. — Free shows operating in Nebraska are at Winside, Meadow Grove and Naponee. Beatrice, Neb. — Philip Hill, former city manager of the Fox and Rivoli here, is now at the Fox, Topeka, Kan. C. A. Stewart, formerly at Marysville, Kan., replaces him. Ford City, Pa. — Karl Friedrich will reopen the Princess early in September. House is being remodeled. Pittsburgh Briefs Pittsburgh — George D. Tyson back from vacation. Hester M. Frye of Waynesburg has been named secretary of tne state censor board at a yearly salary of $4,500. Harry Walker, Crafton and Sharpsburg exhibitor, father of a baby girl. Bill Davis, M. A. Rosenberg, Bart Dattola and Fred J. Herrington leaving tomorrow for Atlantic City to attend the Allied convention. Harold W. Cohen going to New York this year on his annual vacation. New state amusement tax law levies a $1 license fee on all movie houses. SHOWMAN'S REMINDER See if your marquee or any other part of the front of your house is particularly in need of a little paint.